Spinal Meningioma in Adults: Imaging Characteristics, Surgical Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Recurrence

Although spinal meningiomas (SMs) are associated with overall long tumor-free survival, SMs can recur. This study analyzed factors associated with complications, misdiagnosis, and recurrence of SMs.

We reviewed patient demographics; radiographic characteristics of patients with SMs, including level, location within the canal, and size; surgical resection; pathology; and recurrence.

The study included 64 women and 10 men (74 SMs). Of patients, 64 showed no recurrence after surgery with a median (range) follow-up of 17 (1-99) months. Recurrence was identified in 10 patients (13.5%) during a median (range) follow-up of 66 (25-230) months. There was no significant difference in sex between the recurrence and no recurrence cohorts. Patients in the recurrence cohort were significantly younger (median [range] age 58 [35-70] years) than patients in the no recurrence cohort (median [range] age 69 [18-93] years; P = 0.0091). There was significant predilection for foraminal locations in the recurrence cohort (P < 0.001) compared with the no recurrence cohort. SM was correctly identified on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography myelography in 62 of 64 tumors (96.9%) in the no recurrence cohort, but in only 6 of 10 tumors (60%) in the recurrence cohort (P < 0.001).

In 74 patients with SMs, a preponderance of female patients and a predilection of tumors for the thoracic spine were shown. Recurrence was significantly more common in younger than older patients. Risk factors for recurrence included larger tumors, foraminal location, and en plaque lesions. Patients who developed recurrence were significantly more likely to have been misdiagnosed on preoperative imaging with nerve sheath tumors or lymphoma.